Bottle washing machine



Feb. 20, 1940. J. R. DOSTAL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. 31, 1938 Feb. 20, 1940.

s Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 31. 1938 Feb. 20, 1940.

J. R. D OSTAL BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 31, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet3 I sf 111F475 r al,

Patented Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES BOTTLE WASHING MACHINE John R.Dostal, Milwaukee, Wis.,

Sturdy-Bilt waukee, Wis.

Equipment Corporation,

assignmto Mil- Application October 31, 1938, Serial No. 237,872

3 Claims.

This invention pertains to bottle washing machines, and moreparticularlyto a mechanism for removing inverted bottles from theconveyor racks and delivering the same to any subsequent handlingapparatus.

The invention has primarily for its object to provide a comparativelysimple, eflicient, and inexpensive mechanism for removing the invertedbottles from the conveyor racks of the conventional bottle washingmachine, and delivering the same in upright position, regardless of theusual variations in shape and size.

Incidental to the foregoing, a more specific object resides in theprovision of a delivery mechanism for washing machines, including meansfor raising the inverted bottles out of their racks or holders, andcausing the same to tilt in one direction through gravity upon atransfer table, which in turn deposits the bottles right side up upon adelivery conveyor.

A further object resides in'the provision of a shiftable and pivotaltransfer table, which not only deposits the bottles in upright positionupon the delivery conveyor, through the action of gravity, but alsoprevents jarring and breakage of the bottles, in that the same aregradually and gently placed upon the conveyor through the pivotal actionof the table on its shiftable support.

A more detailed object resides in the novel construction of the plungersfor ejecting or removing the bottles from the conveyor racks, wherebythey are caused to tilt in one direction by gravity when the necks arereleased.

With the above and other, objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafterdescribed and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it beingunderstood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated one complete example of thephysical embodiment of the present invention constructed according tothe best mode so far devised for the practical application of theprinciples thereof.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a conventionalwashing machine, with the present invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a detailed section taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 3,illustrating the manner of delivering the bottles to the transfer table.

Figure 3 is a iragmentary plan view of a pordesignates the custbmarytank tion of a bottle washing machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail similar to Figure 2, and illustratingthe manner in which the bottles are deposited upon the deliveryconveyor.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detailed section taken on the line 66 of Figure 3, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective 01 one of the plunger heads.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, one typeof bottle washing machine has been illustrated, which forms the subjectmatter of another application. However, it is to be understood that thepresent invention is equally applicable to numerous conventional washingmachines, in that they embody several characteristics in common, namely,an endless bottle conveyor comprising a plurality of racks pivotallyconnected together, and provided with spaced heads or pockets for thereception of bottles in inverted position, the heads having verticalopenings therethrough to allow cleansing fluid to be sprayed into thebottles by stationary nozzles, as the racks travel over the nozzles.

That portion of the bottle machine illustrated constitutes the dischargeend where the bottles are removed after the same have passed through themachine and have been subjected to the various cleansing operations. Thenumeral I for receiving the usual cleansing fluid, and mounted therein,in any suitable manner, is an endless track 2, upon which the bottleconveyor 3 is mounted for intermittent movement in one continuousdirection. The conveyor 3 comprises a plurality of transverse racks 4pivotally connected at their inner ends, and provided at their outerends with supporting rollers 5 which ride upon the outer rails of thetrack 2. Each rack is provided with a plurality of hollow heads orsockets 6 for reception of the necks of the bottles in invertedposition. Inasmuch as the means for intermittently feeding the conveyorforms no part of the present invention, and is well known to thoseskilled in the art, it is considered unnecessary to describe the same.

At any suitable point in the machine, whereit is desired to remove thebottles, following the washing operations, a plurality of plungers I areslidably journalled in a bracket 8 secured to the bottom of the tank I,it being understood that the plungers are arranged in transversealinement with the openings in the heads 8 of the conveyor racks. Theplungers 1, which project through the bottom of the bracket 8 in thetank I, are carried by a transverse head 8, which simultaneouslyelevates and lowers the plungers when the alined rack is at rest betweenits intermittent movement. I

As best shown in Figure 'I, the heads of the plungers I are providedwith a projecting nib III, which extends into the mouth of the bottle toaline the same on the plunger, which is cut away on one side at II.Thus, as the plungers are elevated, and the necks of the bottlesreleased from the heads 8, the bottles, through the action of gravity,will tilt in the direction of the cut-awa portion, as indicated indotted lines in Figure 2, there being no support for that side of thehead of the bottle because of the cut-out portion.

Positioned adjacent the plungers I is a transfer mechanism, generallydesignated by the numeral l2, and comprising a support I8 pivotallyconnected to a frame II, which is suitably mounted on the casing I, andalso carries a delivery conveyor to be hereinafter described. Pivotallyconnected to the outer end of the support It, and normally restingthereon, as best shown m Figure 3, is a transfer table I! provided witha plurality of v-troughs I8 podtioned in longitudinal alinement with thebottle-receiving heads 6 of the conveyor rack. The inner faces of thetroughs it are preferably lined with rubber, or other suitablecushioning pads If, for receiving the bottles from the plungers 1, asindicated in dotted lines in Figure 2.

Considering now the operation of the plungers I, and the transfermechanism, it will be understood that the-same are coordinated with theintermittent movement of the conveyor 8,. being actuated from the samesource, comprising a motor-driven shaft I8 journalled in a suitablebracket I9 secured to the bottom of the casing I. As best shown inFigures 1 and 5, a transverse shaft 20 is operatively connected with theshaft I8 through the bevel gears 2|. Mounted on the shaft 28 is a cam22, provided with a single cam track 28, which actuates both the plungerand transfer mechanism, as will be later described in detail. Inconnection with the operation of the plungers 1, a shaft 24 isjournalled in the bracket 25 secured to the bottom of the tank I,adjacent the cam 22. Mounted on one end of the shaft 24 is a dependingarm 2', while the opposite end of the shaft carries the lateral arm 21,which in turn is provided with a roller 28 projecting into the camparting oscillatory movement to the depending arm 26.

Adjacent the plunger head 8 a depending bracket 28 is fastened to thebottom of the tank I, and has a shaft 30 journalied therein. Secured toone end of the shaft 88 is a lever 8|, one end of which is connectedwith the plunger head 8 by the links 32, while the opposite end carriesa counter-balance weight 88. An arm 88,

, mounted on the shaft 88, and connected to the arm 28 by a connectingrod 88, oscillates the shaft 30, which in turn reciprocates the plugersI.

Actuation of the transfer mechanism I2 is attained in like manner by thecam 22, the pivotal rocker arm 88 being provided with a roller 81engaged in the cam track 28. The rocker arm 88 is further connected withthe rod 88 which in turn is connected with an arm "secured on track 23,tlllls im-.

the transverse shaft 48, journalled in a depending bracket II fastenedto the bottom of the tank I. The shaft 40 also has secured thereto anarm 42 connected by asuitably adjustable .link 48 with an arm 84 carriedby the support I8. Obviously, oscillation of the rocker arm 36, throughthe connections thus described, will impart oscillatory movement to thepivotal support I8, and inasmuch as the roller 28 is positioned ahead ofthe roller 81 in the cam track 28, actuation of the transfer mechanismis subsequent to that of the plungers I.

To assist in the operation of the transfer mechanism, one of the pintlesl8, pivotally connecting the support I8 on the frame I4, is providedwith a counter-balance weight 48.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be quite apparent that elevationof the plungers I will eject the necks of the bottles from the heads 8of the conveyor rack, and, as the necks are released, gravity will causethe bottles to tilt and be deposited upon the transfer table I5, in themanner illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 2. The support If is thenelevated on its pivotal connection to that position illustrated inFigure 4, which causes the bottles to gradually slide downwardly in thetrough to a suitable conveyor 41, preferably of the conventional chaintype. However, inasmuch as the normal position of the transfer table,and the limited clearance between the delivery conveyor 41, and the topof the conveyor 8, requires that the transfer mechanism be pivotallyconnected at one side of the delivery conveyor, it is essential thatmeans be provided to shift the bottles on to the delivery conveyor, andtherefore the transfer table is pivotally secured to the outer or upperend of the support I8, and provided with a counter-balance weight 48,which, in the upright position of the support I3, serves to rock thelower end of the transfer table upwardly, as illustrated in Figure 4,thus shifting the bottles on to the conveyor 41 against a stop plate 48,preferably formed of rubber or other cushioning material. Likewise, inorder to cushion the bottles as the same slide downwardly in theirrespective troughs during the upward movement of the support I3, theedge of the frame It, adjacent the transfer mechanism, is provided witha cushioning strip 58, against which the bottles abut prior to beingshifted upon the conveyor.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 5, the delivery conveyor is actuated by achain and sprocket connection with the shaft 52, which in turn is drivenby the shaft I8 through the bevelled gears 58.

While the delivery conveyor 41 may be employed to discharge the bottlesdeposited thereon to any subsequent handling mechanism, in the presentinstance the bottles are deposited upon a rotary table 54, from whichthey may be either manually removed, or delivered to another conveyor.

As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the outer end of the conveyor frame i4is supported by a pedestal 55 which carries the bracket 56. The shaft 51of the outer conveyor sprocket 58 is journalled in the bracket 58, andis provided with a bevelled gear connection 58 with the'vertical shaft80, also journalled in the bracket 56, and having secured thereon therotary table 54. Secured to the-top of the frame I4, adjacent its outerend, are a pair of guide rails 8i which retain the bottles on thedelivery conveyor, and, being laterallly offset at their outer ends,guide the bottles to the rotary connection with the table 54, which isrotated in synchrony with the movement of the conveyor, and thereforetakes the bottles away. As the table rotates, the bottles, if notremoved, will abut the rail 6| projecting across the table, as bestshown in Figure 3, and although the table may continue to rotate, thebottle will simply slide over the same, thus preventing blocking ofdelivery to the table.

A rail 6|, connected with the conveyor rails 6|, surrounds the table toretain the bottles thereon. However, where it is desired to deliverbottles from the table to a subsequent conveyor, the rail 6 l can beopened and a radial guide projected over the table to direct bottlestherefrom through said opening.

From the foregoing explanation, considered in accompanying drawings, itis believed that the operation of the present invention will be quiteapparent, in that as each conveyor rack 4 comes to rest over theplungers l, the plungers are actuated by means of the cam 22, causingthe same to be projected through the heads 6, which causes the bottlesto tilt and fall upon the table IS. The cam 22 is so timed as to thenactuate the transfer mechanism H by rotating the support I! upwardly toa substantially vertical position, as shown in Figure 4, during whichmovement the bottles slide downwardly in the troughs l6, and after firstengaging the'cushion strip 5ll, provided in one edge of the conveyorframe I4, the counter-balance weight 48, connected with the pivotaltable 15, causes its lower end to rock away from the support [3 andslide the bottles upon the delivery conveyor 41, which discharges themupon the table 54, as heretofore described.

It will be quite apparent from the foregoing that an exceedingly simpleand positive delivery mechanism has been provided, which is capable ofhandling bottles of various shapes and sizes, in that at no time is itnecessary to positively grip the bottles. Instead gravity is employedthroughout in shifting the bottles from the ejecting plungers anddepositing them upon a delivery conveyor.

I claim:

1. In a bottle washing machine including an intermittently movableconveyor provided with hollow sockets for the reception of invertedbottles, a bottle delivering mechanism comprising a delivery conveyor, aplurality of plungers having their ends cut away at one side forprojecting bottles from said sockets and causing the same to tilt in onedirection, and a transfer mechanism for receiving the ejected bottlesand depositing the same rightside up upon said delivery conveyor.

2. In a bottle washing machine including an intermittently movableconveyor provided with hollow sockets for the reception of invertedbottles, a bottle delivering mechanism comprising a delivery conveyor,means for ejecting bottles from said sockets, and a transfer mechanismfor receiving the ejected bottles and depositing the same rightside upupon said delivery conveyor, said transfer mechanism comprising apivotal support, and a counterbalanced table pivotally connected to theouter end of said support and provided with spaced bottle receivingtroughs.

3. In a bottle washing machine including an intermittently movableconveyor provided with hollow sockets for the reception of invertedbottles, a bottle delivering mechanism comprising a delivery conveyor,means for ejecting bottles from said sockets, and a transfer mechanismfor receiving the ejected bottles and depositing the same rightside upupon said delivery conveyor,

said transfer mechanism comprising a pivotal support, and acounterbalanced table connected to the outer end of said support andprovided with spaced bottle receiving troughs and adapted toswing awayfrom said support to position the bottles on said delivery conveyor asthe support is rotated upwardly.

JOHN R. DOSTAL,

